From the Exclaim! article:
Four Labels to Watch in 2004Year in Review 2003
Limitless Sky
A label to watch not only for great music, but for its relationship to the business of world music. Michel and Rosa Tyabji spent three years in Tanzania recording folkloric and popular musicians and staging free concerts.
The first three releases came out this year, kicked off by the absolutely crucial New African Composers Vol 1 and the propulsive soukous of Yellow Card by Ndala Kasheba. The Tyabjis' goal is to help Tanzanian artists understand and negotiate intellectual property rights, issues of international copyright and artist representation. Most record companies releasing music by African artists do so through recording or licensing music in London, Paris and New York, with little involvement in the communities from whence the music originated. Limitless Sky shows how the encouragement of musical diversity can be a means to social development around the world.
David Dacks - Exclaim! (Canada) (Dec 2, 2003)
CHECK OUT THESE PROMOTIONAL VIDEOS WE EDITED TO SHOWCASE THE MUSICIANS AND THE STYLES OF TANZANIA:
Limitless Sky Records: Artists
Ndala Kasheba - Le Maestro Supreme
Guitarist and singer Ndala Kasheba first came to Tanzania with Fauvette, a band from Congo in 1964. He was active in the Dar es Salaam scene ever since then. In the 1970’s he led the famous “Orchestra Safari Soundâ€. He then created his own group “Zaita Musica†and toured in Europe. Ndala Kasheba recently departed the world,and will be surely missed by everyone, from the Swahili people to the Swedish, and to those whose ears hear his distinctive twelve string guitar sounds.
Garikayi Tirikoti - Mbira Master
Mbira maestro Garikayi Tirikoti has been developing his unique take on the ancient Shona musical art, and his unusual 8-piece group, for over thirty years. Garikayi also creates the mbira in his home workshop, of various traditional tunings as well as his own creations, and is known for manufacturing some of the finest instruments available. He is a spiritual leader and teacher in his community in Chitungwiza. He has toured in Europe twice, to Holland and Switzerland in 2001. He will surely make an appearance in a venue near you soon!
Achigo Band - Muziki wa Dansi
Achigo Band used to be Orchestra Marquis, champions of Swahili dance music. Veteran musicians from various “muziki wa dansi†bands had joined forces to make the Achigo Band. Mwanza Mpango King Kiki and Kasongo Mpinda Clayton lended their smooth vocals to the group, along with a cast of stars of the past 30 years of prominent performing artists from the Dar es Salaam scene.
Yekete Beat - Swahili Style Highlife
The lively, percussion-driven pop act Yekete Beat Band formed in the Arusha region of Tanzania in 1989. Leader Saidi Matimbwa learned guitar from his father, Islamic hymns from Koranic school, and took training in music at the National Arts Council. The fusion of backgrounds makes this band unique, lending highlife feel to traditional Tanzanian rhythms. They play regularly in Arusha.
Delphin Munuga - Voice of the Congo
Singer Delphin Mununga was brought to Dar from Lubumbashi, Congo, by Ndala Kasheba in the 1980s to play with Zaita Musica. He toured with Zaita to Europe in 1989. He has stayed in Dar since then. He now plays with various big bands, like Bora Bora Sound, and began his own group “Esthetic Musica†which tours in Arabia and Asia. Currently Delphin has toured the Congo and Dubai, and is on his way to Malaysia.
Yoginis - Song Bird EP
Through the compositions of pianist Yogi McCaw, the Yoginis incorporate Jazz, Samba, Indian modes and Afro-Cuban rhythms to deliver and authentic fusion of cultures.
The Yoginis is a huge band consisting of people from Puerto Rico, Brazil, Grece, Bangladesh, Jamiaca, India the USA. For complete information on the band please visit http://www.theyoginis.com/newCD.html
Michel and Rosa Tyabji - Limitless Sky Records
Michel Tyabji is a drummer/ percussionist who has lived and performed in over half a dozen different countries, from England to Tanzania. He draws his experience and influences from India, Africa and Arabia together with his education in Western Classical music. Michel is also educated as an audio engineer and music producer. He is a sought after music producer for international artists within America.
Rosa Tyabji has worked as a Location Recordist/ Sound Mixer for film in addition to producing music for Limitless Sky Records. Rosa has worked as a sound mixer on feature length films, shorts, commercials, industrial shoots, music videos, and PSA's since 1996.
Our main focus with Limitless Sky Records is to maintain the integrity of the Artists we represent, to return as much as possible back to the Musician's and to foster respect for their interests the World over.
Our accounting system considers the well being of our Artists before company financial gains. When you buy something from us much of the asking price pays for school fees, medicines and long term help should one of our Artist's countries erupt in turmoil (like Zimbabwe did in 2005). We believe in the music and know the joy it brings can help unite the World.